Chapter 76.3- Doom Days

“Wh-what? But everyone knows. Potter—“

“I would advise yu to stop believing the drivel the public carries about as truth. You must be a more enlightened man as he minister for magic” He said, beginning their story.

“What? But what do you mean? Nothing was found of him and Harry Potter has the scar. Dunbledore said—“

“You should already be familiar with the headmaster’s propensity for dishonest at this point, Cornelius. Now will you listen as I answer our question, or will you continue to interrupt me with trivial matters?” He asked, waiting patiently. Cornelius sighed, visibly gathering himself before he spoke.

“Okay, please explain to me”

“My Lord was never defeated. He simply took a step back. He is immortal and a child like Potter would never have stood a chance against him had my Lord intended to exact his will. There is nothing special about the boy other than the fact that the Dark Lord chose to spare him after killing both James and Lily Potter. He was spared because My Lord could sense that he would grow ino. Promising wizard one day, and my lord does so hate to shed promising wizarding blood for no reason and he will be given he same choice as all of wizarding blood in turn” Cornelius nodded along, seeming to understand before he froze.

“You said “my lord”” he pointed out. Lucius kept his expression carefully blank before he spoke again.

“It seems I did” He agreed.

“But-but the imperious”

“I lied, Cornelius. I have always been a loyal servant of the Dark Lord.” He said, watching the way the man’s face moved with the realization.

“So that means—“

“Yes, I am here with an offer for you. The same offer that I am sure you realise that all your department heads received offers that most o them were wise enough to accept.”

“The Prohpet was right”

“Indeed. Now it is your time to make a choice. Either I leave here with the knowledge that you have been recruited for the cause and will do my Lord’s will as necessary, or I leave her with a target painted on your back” The man seemed to whimper at his words.

“Please Lucius. I thought we were friends”

“And that is why I am the one giving you this offer, and not My Lord himself. It is for our friendship that I assured the Dark Lord that you could be brought onside without drastic measures. Do not see to it that I am proven wring,, Cornelius.”

“Can I— can I have some time to think about it” Lucius scoffed

“Think about it? Do I seem to be a wizard asking you to a ball, Cornelius? This is serious business. You are either onside or not. And you will declare the truth of it to me before I leave.”

“Wha-what would I be expected to do if I were to become onside?” Cornelius asked, and Lucius smiled. A slow smug thing. He idd so enjoy being proven right.